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Fan throws basketball towards referee during Lakers’ win over Kings
Developed over time first seen 1 day ago
A fan threw a basketball towards referee Chelisa Painter during the Lakers’ 116-103 win over the Kings, prompting Luka Dončić to question the fan’s actions. Arena security removed the fan, and play resumed shortly afterwards.
The incident happened late in the third quarter, after a loose ball went out of bounds near the Lakers’ bench. Players and an official had signalled that the Lakers would get possession, but the fan threw the ball with both hands towards Painter; she bounced it towards the ground and was not physically harmed. Security escorted the fan away with 2:35 left in the quarter, and the Lakers improved to 7-2, moving to the top of the Pacific Division.
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In short
- A fan threw a ball towards referee Chelisa Painter.
- Luka Dončić questioned the fan’s actions.
- The Lakers beat the Kings 116-103 and moved to 7-2.
How this story developed
- 23 hours ago New video captured Dončić questioning the fan as Painter bounced the ball towards the ground; she was unharmed, and play resumed after security escorted the fan away.
- 1 day ago Further details showed that the fan launched the ball with both hands from a baseline seat after players indicated the Lakers would retain possession, briefly interrupting play.
- 1 day ago A fan threw a basketball towards referee Chelisa Painter during the Lakers’ 116-103 win over the Kings, and security removed the fan after Luka Dončić challenged his behaviour.
Explained simply
Luka Dončić is a Slovenian basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the NBA’s best-known teams. The Lakers were playing the Sacramento Kings, a fellow team in the league, in a match where possession changes when the ball goes out of bounds.
Chelisa Painter is an NBA referee, responsible for enforcing the rules during the game. Referees make decisions such as which team gets the ball after it leaves the court, and their calls can draw strong reactions from players and spectators.
Fans watch from close to the court, but are not meant to interfere with play or officials. Arenas use security staff to respond to disruptions, so matches can continue safely and without interruption.
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Originally published by New York Post as “Luka Doncic gets angry after fan throws ball at female ref in tense scene: ‘What the hell is he doing?’”.